Hildegard of Bingen

1098 - September 17, 1179
born in Bemersheim, Germany, composed during the Medieval period

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), the first composer whose biography is known, was one of the most remarkable and forceful individuals in Medieval Europe. Placed in a convent as a child, she took vows and eventually became an abbess, founding two convents of her own. A visionary mystic, she was also accomplished as a poet, painter, naturalist, theologian, and preacher, and she served as an advisor to political and religious leaders. Her music, which is notable for its distinctive departures from the conventions of plainchant, includes over 70 hymns, antiphons, and sequences, and the first surviving liturgical drama Ordo Virtutem. ~ Stephen Eddins, Rovi

I listen to all the ancient sacred choral music that comes up on Hildegarde's station. Whatever sets her apart delights my soul. I am particularly taken by her Sequences.. Whether one consciously attends to the music, or has it playing in the background, it opens and bathes the soul . . .

Thank you for giving me the gift of Hildegard and for paying attention to her importance even in today's culture.

3 years ago

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dianafriedline

I have known of her music and studies on medicine for a long time. I'm so pleased that Pandora has made it so easy to hear her wonderful music that is truly transcendent. She was so remarkable a woman, glad to see there is a film coming out on her life, and to hear that she has finally been sainted. I'll follow-up on that as research. Much appreciate these posts. Thank you, and a nice end to a lovely Thanksgiving weekend.

You play something like this on a low volume on your laptop as youre trying to fall asleep, like a hotel room or a friend's place..you end up sleeping like a baby :) this music just taps into that primitive part of our brains..our inner child that wants to hear a lullaby. Hymns may be about the church and God, but at their core theyre lullabies for the soul.